Iran Threatens To Close Strait Of Hormuz Again, If US Blockade Continues

Iran has warned it could close the Strait of Hormuz again if the United States keeps blocking access to its ports.

This comes just hours after announcing the vital waterway had been reopened following a ceasefire in Lebanon.

On Friday, April 17, US President Donald Trump said a wider agreement between the two countries was “very close,” even claiming Tehran had agreed to give up its enriched uranium, which has long been a major issue in the talks.

“We’re going to get it by going in with Iran, with lots of excavators,” Trump said at an event in Arizona.

Iran swiftly rejected that claim, insisting its enriched uranium stockpile would not be handed over under any circumstances.

Tehran also made it clear that if US naval forces continue to stop ships linked to Iranian ports, they may once again close the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow passage is one of the world’s most important trade routes, with roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it.

Taking to his X page, Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed the strait would not stay open if the blockade continues, adding that any ships hoping to pass would need Iran’s approval.

“With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” Bagher Ghalibaf wrote.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei also warned that Iran would respond firmly.

“What they call a naval blockade will definitely be met with an appropriate response from Iran,” Baqaei said, describing the US naval blockade as “a violation of the ceasefire” agreed to allow negotiations

Meanwhile, the US military said it had already turned back 21 vessels since the blockade began earlier in the week.

The update was shared by US Central Command alongside an image of a guided-missile destroyer operating in the Arabian Sea.

The rising tensions contrast with Trump’s upbeat tone, as he praised ongoing diplomatic efforts and expressed confidence in reaching a deal.

He also commended Pakistan and key Gulf allies for helping facilitate recent talks.

Pakistan, which led to historic face-to-face talks between US and Iranian officials in Islamabad last week, has urged both sides to press ahead and finalize an agreement to end the conflict.

Trump maintained that negotiations were progressing well, saying there were no major obstacles left.

He even suggested he might travel to Pakistan to sign a final deal, raising expectations of another round of high-level meetings after Vice President JD Vance’s recent visit, which ended without a lasting agreement.

Trump said the naval blockade would stay in place if talks fail, though he indicated he might consider extending the current ceasefire beyond its scheduled end on Wednesday.

“Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Donald Trump had agreed to suspend his military strike on Iran for two weeks after a last-minute diplomatic effort led by Pakistan.